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Struggling Carlton could slip further into the mire when they clash with reigning champion Brisbane at Marvel Stadium in AFL round 18 action on Thursday night.
The Blues have been installed a $4.25 outsider to defeat the Lions ($1.22), with the line set at 26.5 points by Unibet Australia (Unibet review).
Carlton is coming off a horrific thrashing at the hands of arch rival Collingwood, who exposed their frailties under the Friday night lights, almost certainly consigned the Blues to missing the finals and likely put a nail in coach Michael Voss’s career.
The Blues are a chance of regaining speedster Adam Saad after he missed the Magpies clash with concussion, but they will have several players in doubt for this clash, including gun defender Jacob Weitering.
Brisbane is beginning to look ominous ahead of September after dismissing a hard-fighting Port Adelaide by 28 points at home on Saturday night.
The Lions’ win was setup by the prolific Brownlow winner Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage, who both gathered 29 possessions, and a best-on-ground display from Zac Bailey, with five goals and 26 possessions, in arguably a career game.
Lions big man Oscar McInerney could be recalled after making it through his second VFL match unscathed, while Keidean Coleman is nearing a return from a quad injury, although after a serious knee injury he is now in a race against time to win his place back before September.
Continue reading for our free Carlton v Brisbane betting tips and winner prediction
Start: | Thursday, 7.30pm AEST, July 10 |
Venue: | Marvel Stadium, Sydney |
Head-to-head odds: | Blues ($4.25) v Lions ($1.22) |
Line betting: | Carlton +26.5 ($1.88) v Brisbane -26.5 ($1.88) |
Premiership odds: | Carlton $10001; Brisbane $6 |
Our AFL betting expert has canvassed the odds and found some value Carlton v Brisbane tips:
The Brisbane forward is a renowned multi-killer, barely getting a kick when we’re on, and kicking bags when you give up on him. Cameron generally fires against the weaker teams and as shown by the Magpies’ Jamie Elliott, the Blues can be susceptible to smart small forwards. Cameron is paying $1.80 to kick 2+ goals, which looks sensible in a game the Lions should win easily.
Rayner is a splendid mix of toughness and class and the no.1 pick is looming as a key in September. How the Blues would kill for him in their front half, rotating through their midfield. Rayner’s odds to kick 2+ goals and gather 15 possessions are too good to pass up. Chuck them in a same-game multi and you should get around the $5 quote.
Fogarty and Orazio Fantasia have shown glimpses of being the small forward the Blues desperately need. The Blues will kick goals and with Charlie Curnow seemingly in a dry spell they need to come from somewhere. We’re gonna have a crack at Fogarty to kick two goals at $6.60 with Aussie betting sites. Keep an eye on selection and the odds on Mitch McGovern kicking goals, because he could be switched forward, after moving mid-match last week following the bath he received from Jamie Elliott.
While it would make for great entertainment to see Carlton crawl off the canvas and upset the Lions, it’s just not a realistic proposition, given their form woes and inability to hit targets by foot. The Lions have more class and experience all over the ground and we expect them to win this one easily. Our final Carlton v Brisbane prediction? Lions by 27 points.